CHESHIRE'S ASBO tsar and his right-hand woman on the ground in Macclesfield have a message to the town's victims of crime - "You and not the criminal are our top priority."

CPS "frontmen" Nick Price and Fiona Morrison want Maxonians to know about "The Prosecutors' Pledge", which they hope will get more crime victims coming forward and giving evidence.

The duo also have a stark warning for yobs and thugs - they are prepared to apply for ASBOs and ensure they are obeyed to the letter or the offenders will go to jail.

Miss Morrison, who has been prosecuting at the town's magistrates court for about three years, said: "I prosecute at both the adult and the youth court in Macclesfield - so I have seen the pain caused to victims of crime at first hand.

"I know the town and I know the problem areas in the town. And I want those victims to know that we have made a change.

"From now on, we will undertake to keep victims informed, offer them our support through the process and really look after them."

Nick added: "I think it is fair to say that the way we were doing things before did leave victims feeling isolated and alone.

"With the new ten point pledge, we are seeking to make that right. We want people to know they will be looked after if they come forward to give evidence."

Fiona said: "It is so important that people do come forward. If they don't it is almost impossible for us to prosecute.

"Without the evidence, we cannot take things forward and we cannot tackle the problems this type of behaviour causes in Macclesfield.

"We will hold your hand through the proceedings and our message is, really, that you can trust us."

The team have strong new measures they can take against residents constantly targeted by hooligans.

Mr Price, who co-ordinates the ASBO strategy for Cheshire, said: "If you have been repeatedly targeted by a gang of youths, for example, we can apply for an ASBO against them.

"While the crime may be of too low a level to get them a custodial sentence, you can be sent to prison for breaching the terms of your ASBO.

"I believe they are an effective and positive way of tackling repeated anti-social behaviour in our community. We have used them in the past and we will definitely continue to use them."